SBQ

This week's SBQ: Do you currently subscribe to any stitching publications or have youin the past? (Either in print or online) If so, which ones?

The only magazine I have every subscribed to is Cross Country Stitching. I love the charts and colors used in their patterns. I had let my subscription expire but I renewed it yesterday. I do have several Stoney Creek magazines and a few others I have bought but this is the only one I subscribe to.
Happy Stitching!!
www.crosscountrystitching.com

SBQ
Are you starting something new to celebrate the New Year or participating in “Guilt Free January?” If so, what are you planning on starting?

I have to finish Caring Wings for my daughter before I start another large project. I also have my Fortunate Traveler and Rocky Mountain Christmas started. I don't feel exactly guilt free since these BAPS are a few years old.

I think my main goal for this year will be finishing Caring Wings and getting it framed. I also want to work on Rocky Mt. Christmas and Fortunate Traveler. I have several small projects started and a lot I have not started. I went from 'stash starved stitcher' to 'stash stuffed stitcher'. I also am reluctant to start new projects since I will have to order all my DMC online. It is much more expensive that way. Wal-Mart quit selling DMC and there is not a stitching store close to my location. So, I guess that sums up my goals and plans for this new 2008 year.

A new addition to my new blog look is my weather pixie. I picked this one because she has a dog!

SBQ: Storing WIP's

How do you store your WIPs and other projects that you have kitted up?

I store my WIP's in large ziploc bags. I keep the floss, pattern and material in the same bag if they all fit and the WIP is not too large. I keep my floss on floss cards or in small bags. For the Fortunate Traveler, I keep the floss in marked envelopes standing up in a gift box and the material is in a large ziploc bag. I have a copy of my pattern on a clip board and I keep all this inside a large navy Avon bag. (not the box of floss) lol The Avon bags I bought from my daughter and they are perfect for stitching projects. There are several pockets and it is very sturdy. I bought several of these bags and I have other kitted projects stored in these. Sometimes I just want to start something new and all I have to do is pull it out of my bag. The bags are also very handy to take places. My Rocky Mountain Christmas floss is stored in a small 3-drawer box. The material and pattern are in a ziploc bag.

SBQ Needle Mania

How many needles do you use during a project? Have you ever loaded up a needle for every color? Do you use a new needle for every project or recycle your favorite needle?

The only project I have ever used more that one needle for is my TW-The Fortunate Traveler. I have 7 needles I keep threaded for that one. I don't park them on the piece of material I am stitching on though. I switch them out and keep them on an extra piece of material stuck through a small scrap of paper with the color number or symbol on it. I thread up the ones for the area I am stitching in and switch out the colors as I go. This seems to make the stitching much faster for me.

SBQ May 16,2007

If you could only stitch one more piece what would it be and why?

I would have to choose a Teresa Wentzler chart but I do not know which one I would choose!! I like the castle and dragon themes she uses so I suppose it would be one with a castle and a dragon! lol That is as close to an answer as I can get. If I had to choose now, I would stay up all night trying to pick one!

SBQ

How do you choose a project for an exchange? Do you pick solely onwhat you know of the taste of the recipient or are there other reasons you pick the piece you do?
I choose mostly by what the recipient say's she would like. Then I stitch a piece I feel she would like.

SBQ: The Wagon

SBQ: Are you on “The Wagon?” If so, how long have you been on and how “serious” are you about it? If not, have you considered it?

I have acquired a nice stack of stitching stash so I suppose I am. I need to finish some I have started and I have alot I need to start!

SBQ

As we all know, stitching in the winter can really be rough on thehands. What do you do to treat your hands well in the cold wintermonths? Do you have any suggestions for creams or soaps? Or perhaps aspecial regimen that you would like to share? I have used nearly every cream made for my hands. Although, most have worked ok, none have healed my hands. I use alot of hand cleaner at work. This adds to the dry and cracked knuckles. I have bought a new cream from BeautiControl called Extreme Repair. I have just started using it and I really like it. Alot of creams that seem to help leave my hands feeling greasy. This does not. They feel silky and smooth. So I recommend those who need the "Extreme" treatment and those who just want smooth hands, try this cream!

SBQ

Do you have an organizational system for your fabric? If so, what is it? If not, what do you store your fabric in?

I do not think my system is very organized. I do store my fabric individually in the large zip-lock bags. I put a small piece of paper in with each piece that has the type, color and count of the fabric.

How do people store their fabric, especially those small but potentially usable pieces? Do they sort by count? How do they label it or otherwise know what each piece is?

I have my small pieces in bags and sorted according to count and color.

SBQ

For those of you who use hand or over-dyed floss, how do you store it? I do not have any hand or over-dyed floss but....I do intend to buy some! lol I will store it in small floss bags.

Stitching Blogger's Question

Do you have a favorite needlework tool that you like to work with? What is it and why do you like using it?
My most necessary tool is my bright lamp! I really need that lamp to see the 28 ct. fabric. I can work on aida without it, but not 28ct.

SBQ

"Since you started blogging, have you noticed any difference in your stitching habits?"
I have noticed tremendous changes in my stitching habits. I very much enjoy seeing the stitching progress of my friends. I want to stitch more so I can keep my blog updated. I am more motivated than I was before I had a blog. I like having this stitching blog as my own little part of the world wide web.